‘The X Factor’ USA: One Direction performs; did Emblem3, CeCe Frey survive?

Going into Thursday night’s “X Factor” USA results show, there was really one question worth asking: was America really going to get behind the groups, or find a way to sandbag them yet again? These acts all sank like rocks the moment that America had a chance to actually vote for them, and Simon Cowell put a great deal of effort into making sure that this did not happen again. He even had One Direction come out and remind everyone that this can be a success.

The good is that Emblem3 did not have an issue with this, as they were one of the first acts to be given a save by America on the night. The same went for one of the acts that could have been in some serious danger in Paige Thomas. At this point, three acts really seemed to be in more danger than anyone else: CeCe Frey and Jason Brock (who have been criticized heavily by the judges), and the group now known as Fifth Harmony (mostly because they still don’t seem like the sort of act with a huge following just yet).

As it turns out, these actually were the final three acts left at the end, and CeCe and Jason were the two that received the fewest number of votes. (So much for Demi Lovato’s Twitter trend last night to encourage voting.)

CeCe Frey – CeCe is a complicated artist. Jason has a better voice, and it really feels that she is starting to suffer from the strain of singing more than she is used to. Then again, you also have to ask the question as to who is more capable as a pop star. We have seen more potential for her over the course of the season.

Jason Brock – In comparing this sing-off directly to CeCe’s, he was better, clearer, and felt much more like a seasoned performer without L.A. Reid dressing him, in the words of Simon Cowell, like an Italian waiter.

What was interesting here is that we received no explanation at all from the judges as to why they made the decisions that they did, and it almost felt like a rip-off. What gives? All we know is that it went to deadlock, and that Jason was sent home. It may have been the best move for the competition moving forward, if only because CeCe is a little more controversial and could bring something different.

Now, for the first time ever, here are the full standings.

12. CeCe Frey

11. Arin Ray

10. Beatrice Miller

9. Lyric 145 (seriously? This low?)

8. Paige Thomas

7. Jennel Garcia (major surprise here)

6. Emblem3 (the boy band is not in first!)

5. Fifth Harmony

4. Diamond White

Yes, two of the Over-25s are in the top 3. We’re stunned, too.

3. Vino Alan

2. Carly Rose Sonenclar

1. Tate Stevens (the country vote!)

Do you think that the judges (and America) made the right decision this week?